Breakdown: Raiders QB Derek Carr's 87-yard TD to WR Cooper

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr connected with wide receiver Amari Cooper for an 87-yard touchdown in the first half against the Chargers.

In so doing, Carr demonstrated that he still has plenty of arm strength when kept clean despite mounting rumors that his three fractured transverse processes in his back earlier in the year have hampered his ability to drive the ball downfield.

Carr had a clean pocket and more than enough time to throw to a wide-open Cooper. Although there were three Charger defenders close to the wide receiver, none could come to stopping Cooper who looks fully healed from his ankle injuries Weeks 12 and 14.

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Carr has had a hard time completing long passes, but this one was well placed. Cooper has also had trouble with dropped passes, which made this touchdown more of a relief than exciting for most Raiders fans.

The Chargers can qualify for the playoffs if they defeat the Raiders, the Titans lose to the Jaguars and the Ravens beat the Bengals. And as they have done so many times over the year, Oakland will keep fighting to try to play the spoiler Week 17.